RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Rectal neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are rare and associated with poorer prognoses compared to conventional adenocarcinomas. The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for resectable rectal NECs remains uncertain. Herein, we present a case of rectal NEC successfully treated with postoperative chemotherapy using irinotecan plus cisplatin. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old woman with a history of endometrial cancer presented with an intramural rectal tumour detected on follow-up imaging. Colonoscopy revealed a 30 mm submucosal tumour, and laparoscopic low anterior resection was performed. Histopathological examination showed poorly differentiated atypical cells with solid growth patterns. Metastasis from the uterine cancer was ruled out due to histological differences between the primary uterine tumour and the rectal lesion, as well as the absence of hormone receptor immunohistochemical expression. Further immunohistochemical analysis revealed diffuse CD56 positivity, a high mitotic rate (> 20/10 high power fields) and a Ki-67 labelling index exceeding 70%. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of rectal NEC, T3N0M0, Stage IIB (UICC 8th edition), was established. Given the aggressive nature of the tumour evidenced by a high Ki-67 labelling index, adjuvant chemotherapy comprising six cycles of irinotecan plus cisplatin was administered to mitigate the risk of recurrence. At the 3-year follow-up, the patient was free of disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of multidisciplinary surgical interventions followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in managing rectal NECs.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The number of patients with hiatal hernia has increased. Paraesophageal and mixed hiatal hernias are absolute indications for surgical treatment due to the possibility of blood flow disturbances to the stomach and other organs. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old woman with a history of type IV esophageal hiatal hernia (under observation), multiple operations presented with a chief complaint of vomiting. She was diagnosed with a type IV esophageal hiatal hernia with incarceration of the duodenal bulb into the mediastinum. Although the incarceration was relieved with conservative treatment, the patient was at a high risk for recurrence; therefore, surgical hernia repair was performed. Intraoperatively, the hernia portal was severely dilated and the duodenal bulb was easily accessible to the mediastinum due to its high mobility. Fundoplication was performed using the Toupet procedure. No stenosis at the fundoplication site was observed on intraoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. DISCUSSION: The causes of prolapse and incarceration of the duodenal bulb into the mediastinum were speculated to be weakening of the tissue due to aging, adhesion of the omentum to the hernia portal due to chronic prolapse of the stomach toward the mediastinum, increased intra-abdominal pressure due to a rounded back, and anatomical shortening of the distance between the esophageal hiatus and the duodenal bulb. The Toupet method was used as it is associated with a lower incidence of dysphagia. CONCLUSION: Further investigation is needed to determine the best surgical technique.